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Suspect in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting pleads not guilty

The suspect in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting rampage that left 11 people dead is expected to make a brief appearance in federal court Thursday to be arraigned on a 44-count indictment, including hate crimes.

Wearing a red jumpsuit and a bandage on his left arm, the suspect in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting rampage that left 11 people dead pleaded not guilty Thursday in a brief arraignment in federal court where prosecutors emphasized he faces the possibility of the death penalty.

Robert Bowers, 46, is accused of the heinous killings in a 44-count indictment that includes charges of hate crimes.

Authorities say a heavily armed Bowers walked into the Tree of Life Synagogue in the city's affluent Squirrel Hill neighborhood Saturday morning as services were beginning. He shouted anti-Semitic epithets and started shooting.

As in his first court appearance Wednesday, Bowers pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. This time, however, Bowers – who was shot and wounded in a gunbattle that left four police officers injured – walked into court, without the aid of a wheelchair.

Unshackled, the stocky truck driver shook hands with his attorney and appeared to be looking at the indictment. He glanced around the room while walking to the table but said nothing.

As proceedings opened, Bowers frowned as the charges were read but did not appear to react as U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced he could face a death sentence.

He told the prosecutor that he had read the indictment and, when asked if he understood the charges, said “Yes!” in a loud voice.

During the brief court appearance, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Robert Mitchell also granted a 45-day pretrial motion period.

Rivetti estimated that the trial would likely last three to four weeks unless Attorney General Jeff Sessions certifies it as a capital case, which would make it longer.

In addition to those killed, two in the synagogue were wounded. Police arrived, and four officers and Bowers were wounded in a massacre.

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Over a thousand protesters marched from in the Squirrel Hill Neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa. Tuesday, for the 'Stand together in solidarity with the Pittsburgh Jewish Community' event. CARA OWSLEY/USA TODAY NETWORK

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, alongside place stones and flowers on a memorial as they pay their respects at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa. Scores of protesters took to the streets of Pittsburgh to denounce a visit by the President in the wake of a mass shooting at a synagogue that left 11 people dead. SAUL LOEB/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Thousands march past the Sixth Presbyterian Church at the intersection of Forbes and Murray in Pittsburgh during the “Stand together in solidarity with the Pittsburgh Jewish Community,” event. Protesters against hate crimes and gun violence came together and marched through the streets singing Jewish songs and prayers. ALTON STRUPP/USA TODAY NETWORK

First lady Melania Trump, accompanied by President Donald Trump, and Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, right, puts down a white flower at a memorial for those killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue. ANDREW HARNIK/AP

First lady Melania Trump, accompanied by President Donald Trump, and Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers visit a memorial for those killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Tuesday. Matt Rourke/AP

A woman cheers before protesters march throught the Squirrel Hill Neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Tuesday, during the 'Stand together in solidarity with the Pittsburgh Jewish Community' event. CARA OWSLEY/USA TODAY NETWORK

From left, President Donald Trump's White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, the daughter of President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, President Donald Trump, and Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, right, visits a memorial for those killed at the Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue. ANDREW HARNIK/AP

Thousands look on at the intersection of Forbes and Murray in Pittsburgh during the 'Stand together in solidarity with the Pittsburgh Jewish Community,' event. Protesters against hate crimes and gun violence marched through the streets singing Jewish songs and prayers before stopping at Sixth Presbyterian Church to listen to speakers from the community. ALTON STRUPP/USA TODAY NETWORK

George D’adhemar, left, and Michael Moraine hold a sign that reads “We do bridges, not walls,” during a large protest in support of the Jewish community on Tuesday evening in Pittsburgh. ALTON STRUPP/USA TODAY NETWORK

Ben Garber holds a sign reading We're still Squirrel Hill," at the start of a large protest at the intersection of Beechwood Blvd and Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh on Tuesday evening. The protest swelled to thousands and marched through the streets chanting and singing Jewish songs. ALTON STRUPP/USA TODAY NETWORK

President Donald Trump, right, First Lady Melania Trump place stones and flowers on a memorial at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 30, 2018. Rabbi Jeffrey Myers joins them at left. MYKAL MCELDOWNEY/USA TODAY NETWORK

Amylyn Verrone holds a sign at the start of a large protest at the intersection of Beechwood Blvd and Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh on Tuesday evening. The protest swelled to thousands and marched through the streets chanting and singing Jewish songs on Oct. 30, 2018. ALTON STRUPP/USA TODAY NETWORK

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, right, and Ivanka Trump, the daughter of President Donald Trump speak with Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, in hat, as President Donald Trump and Secretary Steve Mnuchin look on, at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa. MYKAL MCELDOWNEY/USA TODAY NETWORK

Aaron Bloomfield holds a sign at the start of a large protest at the intersection of Beechwood Blvd and Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh. "I live a half mile from where the shooting happened. I'm here to show solidarity with my community, Bloomfield said. Trump's presence doesn't help with anything." ALTON STRUPP/USA TODAY NETWORK

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk from the Oval Office as they leave the White House on Oct. 30, 2018, for a trip to visit Pittsburgh, Pa., scarred by violence at a synagogue. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, White House Senior Advisers, walk to Air Force One prior to departure with the President, as they travel to Pittsburgh, following the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

A man holds a sign outside the Tree of Life Congregation, Tuesday, in Pittsburgh. The first two victims of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent U.S. history were laid to rest as the grieving city awaits a controversial visit by President Trump. SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

People gather outside the Tree of Life Congregation. Trump's visit to the city has been contentious, coming amid a mounting row over whether his fierce rhetoric at campaign rallies and on Twitter has helped stoke extremism ahead of Nov. 6 midterm elections. A protest in Pittsburgh against the president has been called for Tuesday afternoon. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Funerals were planned Thursday for Bernice and Sylvan Simon, husband and wife, and Dr. Richard Gottfried, a dentist who worked part time at a clinic treating refugees and immigrants. The oldest victim, 97-year-old Rose Mallinger, will be honored at a service Friday. Her daughter was injured in the attack.

Bowers was released from the hospital hours before his first court appearance Monday. He was being held without bail for the deadliest attack against the Jewish community in U.S. history.

U.S. Attorney Scott Brady has said he is seeking the approval of Attorney General Jeff Sessions to pursue a death penalty case against Bowers.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump visited the city and was met by hundreds of protesters. The president honored a Jewish custom by placing stones on memorials outside the synagogue. Inside, the president and the first lady, Melania Trump, lit candles in honor of each of the dead, the White House said.

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Chatham University students hug during a visit Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, to a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life Synagogue to the 11 people killed Oct 27, 2018 while worshipping in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. GENE J. PUSKAR/AP

Mourners visit the memorial outside the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 31, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Eleven people were killed in a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood on Oct. 27. Jeff Swensen, Getty Images

Students from the Yeshiva School in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh stand outside Beth Shalom Synagogue after attending the funeral service for Joyce Fienberg, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. Joyce Fienberg, 75, was one of 11 people killed when a gunman opened fire during worship services at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday, Oct. 27. Gene J. Puskar, AP

This is a painted rock in memory of Rose Mallinger, 97, found Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, part of a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, to the 11 people killed during worship services Saturday Oct. 27, 2018. Gene J. Puskar, AP

The casket of Irving Younger is led to a hearse outside Rodef Shalom Temple following his funeral on Oct. 31, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Irving Younger was one of 11 people killed in the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue on October 27. Jeff Swensen, Getty Images

A processional leaves the Jewish Community Center after the funeral of Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Oct. 30, 2018. Rabinowitz and 10 other people were shot and killed Oct. 27, 2018 during a service at Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Robert Bowers allegedly screamed anti-Semitic epithets, as he opened fire on the congregants, law enforcement officials said. Eleven worshippers were killed and six other people were wounded. Cara Owsley, Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK

One of the caskets for brothers David and Cecil Rosenthal is carried out of the synagogue at the conclusion of funeral services at the Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh on Oct. 30, 2018. Mykal McEldowney, Indianapolis Star via USA TODAY Network

Family members of Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, embrace before his funeral at the Jewish Community Center in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Oct. 30, 2018. Cara Owsley, Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK

Eleven candles, one marking each life of the people killed at the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, were lit during a vigil at Chabad of Vermont in Burlington, Vt., Monday, Oct. 29, 2018. Ryan Mercer, Burlington Free Press, via USA TODAY Network

Students from Yeshiva Girls High School pray, on Oct. 29, 2018, outside of the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Robert Bowers allegedly screamed anti-Semitic epithets, as he opened fire on the congregants of Tree of Life during a service, law enforcement officials said. Eleven worshippers were killed and six other people were wounded Saturday. CARA OWSLEY/THE ENQUIRER

Names of the victims in the mass shooting at Tree of Life Congregation Synagogueare posted at a memorial outside of the synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa., Monday. CARA OWSLEY/THE ENQUIRER

Mourners visit the Tree of Life Synagogue on Oct. 29, 2018, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh after 11 were killed and six others were wounded Saturday. Cara Owsley, The Cincinnati Enquirer

Magda Brown reflects on the time she spent in a concentration camp as a 17-year-old. Brown spoke to reporters on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018, at the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. A gunman entered the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue opened fire, killing 11 and wounding six on Saturday morning, according to officials. MARKELL DELOATCH/PUBLIC OPINION

Cindy Goodman, previous chair of the Community Relations Council for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, is hugged by a local community leader during a press conference at Freedom Unlimited, Inc., on Oct. 29, 2018. The gathering, held by community groups and religious leaders, honored the 11 victims who lost their lives inside the Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday. MYKAL MCELDOWNEY/INDYSTAR

Rev. James H. Harris, right, of St. James AME in Pittsburgh, says a prayer in honor of the 11 victims who lost their lives inside the Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday. Local religious and community leaders were asked to lay a hand on members of the Community Relations Council for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh as a prayer was said during a press conference at Freedom Unlimited, Inc., Monday. MYKAL MCELDOWNEY/INDYSTAR

Richard A. Stewart Jr., president of NAACP Pittsburg branch, addresses community concern after the recent shooting inside Tree of Life Synagogue Community during a press conference at Freedom Unlimited, Inc., on Monday. MYKAL MCELDOWNEY/INDYSTAR

Lauren Bairnsfather, director of Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, talks about the outpouring of sympathy and support she has recieved since Saturday's shooting in Pittsburgh, Pa. MARKELL DELOATCH/PUBLIC OPINION

Etsy Peles, 17, and a senior at a girls-only high school within the Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, saw the black names written on white stars outside the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue, before dozens of bouquets.
“It’s moving right in front of us, and the names of all the people, and you just felt it in the air, it was tangible,” she said a few hours later from a meeting room at her school. “And I feel like by going back to the place and praying there and singing there, we just showed everyone that you know we can and will remain strong.” CARA OWSLEY/THE ENQUIRER

"Love this beautiful neighborhood" is written on the sidewalk near the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Monday, Oct. 29, 2018. Cara Owsley, Cincinnati Enquirer, via USA TODAY Network

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life/Or L'Simcha Congregation stands across the street from the synagogue in Pittsburgh, Monday, Oct. 29, 2018. Shooting suspect Robert Gregory Bowers is expected to appear in federal court Monday. Authorities say he expressed hatred toward Jews during the rampage Saturday morning and in later comments to police. Matt Rourke, AP

Messages on a barricade are left near the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Monday, October 29, 2018. Cara Owsley, Cincinnati Enquirer, via USA TODAY Network

Hundreds of area residents filled the seats and stood during a vigil at Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains, N.Y. on Oct. 28, 2018, in response to the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in Pittsburgh synagogue. The vigil was organized by several Westchester County based Jewish organizations. SETH HARRISON, The Journal News-USA TODAY Network

People gather outside the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum on Oct. 28, 2018, in Pittsburgh, during a community gathering in the aftermath of the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue. MATT ROURKE, AP

People listen to interfaith speakers on Oct. 28, 2018, at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall before a service to honor and mourn the victims of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in Pittsburgh. JEFF SWENSEN, Getty Images

Flowers and cards sit at a makeshift memorial down the street from the site of the mass shooting that killed 11 people and wounded 6 at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in Pittsburgh. JEFF SWENSEN, Getty Images

People hold candles during a vigil against anti-Semitism and white supremacy, in response to the shooting at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in Pittsburgh, at the Human Rights Monument in Ottawa, Ontario, on Oct. 28, 2018. JUSTIN TANG, The Canadian Press via AP

Fans pause for a moment of silence to honor the victims of the shooting in Pittsburgh before the game between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

Posters at Heinz Field honor the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue before the game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Pittsburgh. Jeffrey Becker, USA TODAY Sports

People walk under the U.S. and Israeli flags projected on the walls of Jerusalem old city, Oct. 28, 2018, organized by the Jerusalem municipality to show solidarity with the Pittsburgh Jewish community following the shooting attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. MENAHEM KAHANA, AFP/Getty Images

Members of the FBI and others survey the area on Oct. 28, 2018, outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP/Getty Images

Members of emergency services gather, Oct. 28, 2018, outside of the Tree of Life Synagogue after a shooting there left 11 people dead in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP/Getty Images

Stephanie Myers and Sally Merar, both of Pittsburgh, try to light candles in a drizzle during a vigil in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. SARA C. TOBIAS, Newark Advocate via USA TODAY Network

Tammy Hepps, hugs Simone Rothstein, right, on the intersection of Shady Avenue and Northumberland Street after multiple people were shot at The Tree of Life Congregation synagogue. ALEXANDRA WIMLEY, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

Neighbors around the corner from the site of a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue embrace one another in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Oct. 27, 2018. JEFF SWENSEN, Getty Images

Police respond to an active shooter situation at the Tree of Life synagogue on Wildins Avenue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa. on Oct. 27, 2018. PAM PANCHAK, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP

Police respond to an active shooter situation at the Tree of Life synagogue on Wildins Avenue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa. on Oct. 27, 2018. PAM PANCHAK, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP